Recognize Kids with Fuzzy Friends Awards--FREE!

Hi There!

Download some fuzzy warm friends awards to pass along to your students for working well together, demonstrating leadership skills, teamwork, kindness and friendship. There are 7 in all...with a couple that have different backgrounds, and a few that have a white background. A blank one is also included so you can personalize it for a student with another special trait to recognize. Check 'em out and please enjoy. You must might get some extra smiles from your children--which makes it totally worthwhile!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fuzzy-Friends-Awards-1680802

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN BY AGE

      Are you looking for a list of favorite children's books? I'm sharing a link from Growing Book by Book. Book lists can be found anywhere but I have a hard time finding ones that are relevant. Classics are wonderful and should be read by all, but I also need a list of those favorites that don't necessarily fall into the classics category. Parents ask me at the end of every school year, what are the best books to get their kids. "Best" is subjective, but I think this year I'm going to recommend this list from Growing Book by Book. 

Just go to this link for finding some of the best books for kids--http://growingbookbybook.com/books-for-children-by-age/

You will also love their website!

Happy book-looking for your kiddos!

Karen 

NEW YEAR'S FLASH FREEBIE!

Need some ice cream? Here's my little celebration for 2015! If you would like this free editable file, please check it out today! Click on the link below and it will take you there asap! And may you have a year of wonder, good health and many blessings!

NEW YEAR'S FLASH FREEBIE FOR 

ICE CREAM LOVERS

Merry Cheery Cards to Make

I realize just about everyone has made cards before, but it's been a long time since I have, and I forgot how much fun it actually was! 

So...in celebration of my 101st post.... I encourage you to make these VERY simple and charming cards --by using one simple rubber stamp (for example, a snowflake design), one or two ink pads, a glitter pen, and a little ribbon. I don't know about you, but I get a little weary of red and green at Christmas time...so I opted more for the blues, silvers, and greens--Some of them had silver and red snowflakes. Also, we have friends of many faiths, so I wanted to make cards that would hopefully appeal to all.

Each card came out different...but quite pretty because they were such simple designs. The old saying..."More is less"...comes to mind. The ribbon was super cheap--on sale, and the stamp was something I came across a couple of years ago but never used. Considering how cards (really nice ones) cost so much these days, you may want to try it. You really can't go wrong.

I'm not selling or promoting any of the items you see in the picture below...but I just want to show you that this is what I started with: a pack of blank white cards which you can get at a craft store on sale (or use dark colored cards that look great with silver or white ink), stamp pads, narrow grosgrain ribbon, silver or gold glitter pen, and tacky glue (not shown) to attach the ribbon.

(Note: Washi tape (not shown) is an alternative to ribbon!)

It's a little late in the year to start making them as holiday cards. But why not start when you have free time and save them for next year? And it's so relaxing and fulfilling to make your own cards!

As I said, each one came out differently. This one (below) is just silver and green. I had extra ribbon so I just tied it on, rather than gluing it on the front. I drew some swirls for extra detail. I don't have any other cards to show you because I just had to hurry and send them off before it was too late!!

My Merry Cheery Holiday Card 

You cannot see the swirls that well, 

but you get the idea!!

(I forgot to add...yes, you could adapt this for kids, depending upon their skill level. But any cute stamp, and a little ribbon goes a long way...and will make the recipient smile!)

Snowpeople in First Grade

     We had a blast today in first grade. After seeing these cute toilet roll characters on Pinterest, I just had to have the kids make these. But I did not have enough toilet paper tubes for 20 kids, so I pre-made twenty 5 1/2 inch rolls out of white card stock. This way, we did not have to paint them either. They also came out a little larger than the regular tubes. 

But if you have plenty of toilet paper tubes, then you are recycling which is especially nice. By the way, what makes these little guys extra cute, is the way you can stuff the poly fiberfill inside to make cute, frizzy, snowy hairdos! This was such a quick and easy craft for any winter day. The kids were tickled with the results. I was, too! 

Did anyone say "snow"?

So, I'm not used to having 3 and 1/2 consecutive snow days--not in all my years of teaching have I had this happen! Our area has had about 4 days of power outages, with lines down, trees and limbs blocking secondary roads...and our plow guy even struggled to do our little driveway. I'll be glad to get back...but wait!...We have only one week before the holiday break! Hopefully, we'll get some work done (without too much craziness) before the week ends. What a December to remember!

Five Silver Bells Choral Poem, Book and Advent Craft

This is a little bell-shaped book that you'll find templates for inside my newest creation. I created Five Silver Bells with hopes that young readers will have fun practicing their fluency while reading this little poem ... just right for this time of year. It's a poem that is appropriate for a diverse classroom as there is no reference to a specific religion. Below is an example of the bell book with the poem text. But the packet has more patterns and ideas for making the most out of this choral poem. Hop on over to my store and take a peek at the preview.Thanks for checking this out!  Let me know what you think!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Five-Silver-Bells-Choral-Poem-Book-and-5-Day-Advent-Tree-1597785

Here are some sample pages of Five Silver Bells....